Posts Tagged ‘Biden’
Scratch Your Head
Raise Your Voice By PETER MOLENAAR “The Rich Really Do Pay Lower Taxes Than You!” Such was a recent caption in the New York Times. For the first time, thanks to Trump”™s tax cut, the 400 wealthiest Americans now pay a lower overall tax rate than any other income group”¦ and some folks had the gaul to steal the election by casting their votes! Actually, wages have always been taxed at a higher rate than stock dividends, etc. Naturally then, for generations the ruling class has spawned progeny who inherit the lot without lifting a finger. Never mind that the value of a commodity is determined by the socially necessary labor time embodied in it, i.e., labor is the source of all wealth. What”™s this got to do with our neighborhood? Think “build back better” jobs, and note: the East Phillips Urban Farm has received something of a green light”¦ but what? The Republican Party is working overtime to blunt Biden”™s infrastructure vision in favor of “no new taxes". How then will a marketing professional and technical staff be paid if and when the farm is launched? The idea that capital gains taxes should be raised to the level of taxes on wages is a modest one. Even so, Republicans are keen to smash it and thereby blunt the rebuilding of our nation. Standing to the left of Biden are senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders who, with the support of progressive congress persons (note: Ilhan Omar is once again functioning under death threats) have proposed a special tax bracket for “ultra-millionaires”. The measure would provide some $3 trillion over 10 years for our people”¦ but no, not a chance with Republicans sucking up air. Obviously, were we in a revolutionary situation, the call for outright expropriation would be the patriot”™s demand. However, for the time being, two suggestions: 1.) elected [...]
Cover Crop Seeds
RAISE YOUR VOICE By PETER MOLENAAR Peter Molenaar From time to time, readers of the alley are reminded that Wendell Phillips, our neighborhood”™s namesake, was an abolitionist. I will assert here that, were he still alive, he would be opposed to the ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people. Now days, this opposition to all forms of oppression circulates via this paper in surrounding communities, including the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) which maintains an office in the Powderhorn Neighborhood. The LSP is splendidly adept at mingling strains of progressive rural thought with the corresponding urban strains. Our nation”™s soil health is an overriding issue for the LSP. Why bother? Well, an estimated 1/3 of our topsoil has already washed away. The applied math does not bode well. But hey, just add more chemicals”¦ right? Wrong. Actually, the world”™s supply of phosphate is nearing exhaustion. (Note: President Biden has initiated a supply chain analysis for all vital commodities.) Moreover, cover crops are the key to a ”˜regenerative agriculture”™ which is poised to sequester enough carbon to seriously stem the tide of climate catastrophe. However, any mandate that our farmers comply with this strategy will be deemed by “conservatives” and well armed “patriots" to be a "socialist tyranny”. So, seemingly light years ahead of most Republicans, Biden has proposed to compensate farmers who convert. However, another reminder: cover crops are grown from seeds (!) which ideally would exist ahead of time (i.e., prior to launching the full scale program, our government must contract for an adequate initial supply)”¦ But oh, gosh golly, would not such thoughtful planning constitute yet another “tyranny”? “Market forces” will handle the matter in due time. Right? Note: Cargill Inc., one of the [...]
